as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
I have to psych myself up before every swimming competition
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in soul
an immaterial force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power
disturbing, enigmatic paintings that seem to embody the psyche of this brilliant but troubled artist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mind
the part of a person that feels, thinks, perceives, wills, and especially reasons
a novel that explores the psyche of a depressed teen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of psych (up)
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
The adaption is extremely faithful to the original novel, with a few liberties taken here and there to dig further into the psyches of the boys.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Simple, shocking, darkly beautiful imagery and an extreme performance dramatize the psyche of a man deeply disappointed with his childhood, who seeks to recreate it by any means possible.
—William Earl, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
The push and pull of the entertainment industry’s alternating (and/or simultaneous) love and hate for Swift has been a recurring motivator across her storied career, but her conversation with the Times emphasizes how equally damaging that love-bombing has been for her psyche and perception of self.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Noun
An exhilarating journey through 70 years of images and sounds from Lebanon, exploring Beirut’s collective psyche—marked by beauty, trauma, joy, and forgetting.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
The adaption is extremely faithful to the original novel, with a few liberties taken here and there to dig further into the psyches of the boys.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Simple, shocking, darkly beautiful imagery and an extreme performance dramatize the psyche of a man deeply disappointed with his childhood, who seeks to recreate it by any means possible.
—William Earl, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
The push and pull of the entertainment industry’s alternating (and/or simultaneous) love and hate for Swift has been a recurring motivator across her storied career, but her conversation with the Times emphasizes how equally damaging that love-bombing has been for her psyche and perception of self.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for psych (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for psych (up)
Verb
-
Amid the warmth and humor of her portrait of teenagehood, Smith is touching on a cold and bracing thing.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
Although much of Hollywood is bracing for AI to hollow out jobs, Erwin argues that AI can return at least some production jobs that have been outsourced.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Throughout their first five albums, the band has spun a web, not unlike the orb weavers of their native Virginia, that marries country, rock, honky-tonk grit and Appalachian soul with rowdy barroom energy.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
In South Texas, blood runs deeper, forgiveness is fleeting, and the cost of survival might just be your soul.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Instead, the seductive peacefulness of the house brought to her mind the contemplative sets in the BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Keep in mind that the Nomadix is essentially only an off-road e-moto, as it is not yet homologated for street riding.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Infusing this with her music has fortified her place in pop.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
-
Together, those ingredients restore, firm, and fortify every inch of you.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Barker’s other heroes include Nathan Fielder and Tim Robinson, comics whose work contains an undeniable dark streak, and who share his prankster’s spirit and high tolerance for unease.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Vitello said postgame that Koss’ helmet cracked as a result of the bean ball, but Koss was in good spirits after the game.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
This seems to be a common initial response of the brain to drugs that can lead to addiction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
Collins’ death at age 47, which was announced on May 12, following a monthslong battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer left not only the sports world but also LGBT advocates across the country in mourning.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Since then, Musk's team has been readying a fresh design of the rocket, which could be the version that finally reaches orbit and demonstrates key capabilities required to take humans deep into space.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Mercedes seemed more catchable than in the opening three races of the 2026 calendar, a blip on the radar as the team readies a bigger upgrade package for the Canadian Grand Prix this month.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Nick Nurse will continue in his role as head coach, according to team sources.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Psych (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/psych%20%28up%29. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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